Tea tree oil is an essential oil extracted from the leaves of the Australian tea tree.[1] You may also know it as melaleuca oil. “We’re turning to it for its antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and there are many ways it can be used as a natural skin, hair and nail treatment,” says Jennifer Holman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and regional president of U.S. Dermatology Partners in East and South Texas.
Tea tree oil is available as a pure essential oil. It can also be used in personal care products, especially those designed to prevent or reduce acne, including detergents, toners, body soaps, gels, lotions and other treatments.
A word of warning: Never take tea tree oil as it is toxic if ingested.[2] Tea tree oil should only be applied topically.
Keep reading to learn more about this popular oil and its use for the face and skin.
The health benefits of tea tree oil
The main advantage of tea tree oil is its ability to fight pimples. That’s why tea tree oil can be an excellent choice for people with acne, says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans.
To understand why, consider the four main causes of acne development: inflammation, bacteria, hormones and sebum, says Dr. Hooper. Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, so it attracts two of these main players.
Hooper points to previous research comparing tea tree oil to benzoyl peroxide, a common topical acne treatment. This small study found that tea tree was equally effective at reducing acne-related inflammation, he explains.[3] And although tea tree had a slower effect (meaning the results were visible for longer), it caused fewer unwanted skin reactions than benzoyl peroxide.
Other research supports these earlier results.[4] One review found that of six studies analyzed, all of which looked at people with mild to moderate acne, five found that a 5 percent tea tree oil product used twice daily reduced acne lesions by 23.7 to 62.1 percent after four to eight weeks. (However, not all of the studies studied were double-blind randomized trials, so more research is probably needed.)
How to Use Tea Tree Oil in Your Skin Care Routine
First of all, remember that tea tree oil should only be applied topically and that taking the ingredient is not safe. It is a good idea to do a patch test by first applying the oil on the inner part of the forearm and waiting a day or two to see if a rash forms.
To start adding tea tree oil to your skincare routine, buy a skincare product that contains tea tree oil or use the essential oil yourself, says Dr. Holman. To use the essential oil, it is very important to dilute it first by mixing it with a carrier such as a witch hazel tonic or a moisturizer. (Applying the undiluted oil can cause an allergic reaction on the skin, says Holman.)
Holman recommends using three drops of tea tree oil in two ounces (oz) of product. You can use tea tree oil in the morning or at night. Combine tea tree oil with a witch hazel toner if you have acne, which can be done after cleansing your skin, or combine the oil with a moisturizer (e.g. coconut oil) as the last step in your night skin care, if you also have dry or sensitive skin.
It can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, Holman says. For this reason, do not apply it immediately before going outside. However, regardless of the skin care products you use, it is always important to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on your face every morning.
Hooper recommends that people with acne-prone skin apply a tea tree oil product once or twice a day, focusing on pimple problems like the chin or T-zone. You can use this product in the morning, evening, or both, but choose a time when you’re most likely to use it consistently, she adds. Use the ingredient routinely for the best results, Hooper suggests.
She also points out that it can take a few months for your skin to really improve, so give it 12 weeks of constant use before evaluating the effects on your acne. (That’s because pimple formation can start months before the red bump appears, she says.)
If you don’t see results after 12 weeks, you may need a stronger acne product. A board-certified dermatologist can help you develop an acne management plan that’s right for your skin. Tea tree oil is also better suited for mild acne and probably won’t be strong enough if you have more moderate or severe forms of the skin condition, Hooper says.
Other uses of tea tree oil
You can use tea tree oil as a natural treatment for nail fungus or athlete’s foot, Holman says, although it won’t be as effective as a prescription product. There is some in vitro research showing that tea tree oil inhibits the growth of fungi in onychomycosis,[5] the name of the fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails that causes thick, discolored, distorted and even smelly nails.[6] That is, more research is needed to evaluate it. If the condition does not improve or worsens, consult your doctor.
If you are using tea tree oil to treat a fungal nail infection, dilute it in a carrier oil such as coconut oil. (Aim for a ratio of two to three drops of tea tree oil to 15 to 20 drops of carrier oil.) “For nail fungus, use a stronger concentration of tea tree oil than on the skin of the face,” says Holman.
Tea tree oil can also promote a healthy scalp. “It’s a great hair lightening ingredient, so it’s useful for conditions like seborrheic dermatitis (a variation of dandruff) and scalp folliculitis, as well as general itchy scalp,” Holman says. (“Clarifying” means that a product can help remove product deposits and oil from the scalp.) Look for tea tree-based shampoos or scalp treatments and use them two or three times a week, she recommends. If included in the formula of anti-dandruff products, research suggests that the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil may be effective in keeping flakes at bay.[7]
Possible side effects of tea tree oil
The most important side effect that you should pay attention to when using tea tree oil is irritation. “Up to 4 percent of people may be allergic [to tea tree oil],” Hooper says. It is always a good idea to do a patch test before starting to treat a tea tree area. And yet, you may find out later that your skin reacts negatively to the ingredient. If you’re allergic to it, “the tea tree will irritate your skin within the first two to three weeks, and then the product will irritate your skin every time you use it after that,” she says. This skin irritation indicates that you are allergic to tea tree oil and should stop using it completely.
Tea tree oil and skin diseases
If you have eczema, avoid using tea tree oil.[1] Although tea tree oil may be effective in scalp psoriasis, it has not been proven to treat this skin condition.[8] Finally, although there is evidence from a double-blind controlled clinical trial that tea tree oil gel in combination with a drug called permethrin is effective and safe for the treatment of rosacea compared to a placebo,[9] However, you should not self-medicate because tea tree oil can worsen the symptoms of rosacea.[10]
Summary
Tea tree oil can be a good natural option to treat mild acne, but the results can take up to three months to become visible. While it is generally well tolerated, it causes irritation in a small number of people, so watch out for reactions if you are new to tea tree oil products.
